Morgott had just sunk into a large bath, looking forward to the chance to unwind a bit after a stressful week. He leaned back, closing his eyes contently as the warm water seeped into his bones.
It was short lived.
“Papa?” Came a small voice.
Morgott jolted, water sloshing out of the tub. He peered over the edge to see his small son: Maddox. The boy blinked up at him.
“What are you doing?” He asked, stepping on his toes to get closer.
Morgott took a breath to steady himself, sure he had latched the door. “Partaking in a bath.” He answered.
“I’ll help!” The little omen exclaimed excitedly, already pulling off his clothes.
“I am quite practiced in bathing mineself.” Morgott’s words fell on deaf ears as the boy scrambled up the tub side, “Have been successful for some time…”
He sighed as the small one fell into the water, whatever relaxation there was to be had no longer an option. He fished Maddox up to the surface, the boy a fit of giggles.
Morgott leaned back once more, watching as the boy played in the bubbles and splashed about. At least he was getting clean…
“This is fun!” Maddox smiled, clinging to Morgott’s arm to stay above water.
“Aye.” Morgott gave a soft smile, taking a rag to wash behind the little one’s ears.
“Papa.”
“Hm?”
“I gotta pee.”
Morgott scooped up the boy, gently placing him outside the tub.
Maddox dropped to all fours, shaking off like a dog. He send a spray of water and suds all over, before standing to scamper away, leaving sopping foot prints behind.
Summary: Morgott and Lír spend more time together in the greenhouse
“Thee cares for Matilda?” Morgott asked, carefully packing seedling into a crate.
“Very much!” Lír nodded, handing over a bucket of wet sawdust.
Morgott dipped a hand into the bucket, face pinching as he pushed it back towards the other. “Squeeze that out a bit, would ye?” He flicked away dampness from his fingers, “Much too wet, would cause rot.”
Lír nodded, taking the bucket over to a grate. Kneeling down, he set to work squeezing excess water from the sawdust. They both worked in silence for a bit before Lír spoke, almost absentmindedly, “I’d fancy to make her my wife one day…”
“Art thou asking for mine blessing?” Morgott chuckled, not looking up from his task.
Lír flushed a bit, gulping before answering, “Not technically just yet, my Lord.”
Morgott hummed a bit, seemingly uninterested. But as Lír brought the much more acceptable sawdust back to him, he found his voice once more. Setting to work gently placing the seedlings into the prepared crate he asked, “Doth thee has a ring?”
“Not yet…” Lír sighed.
“Surely if thy wisheth to marry mine daughter, thee must have procured the runebear skull?” He didn’t look up from his work, voice expectant.
“R-Runebear skull?”
“Aye, tis tradition.” Morgott lied through his teeth, taking extra care to feign seriousness.
Lír paled, setting down the bucket.
Morgott turned just enough to catch the young man’s reaction. Lír looked absolutely grave, causing Morgott to boom with laughter.
Realizing the ruse, Lír blurted out, “That’s cruel!” His voice was thick with shock, never expecting his Lord to jest as such.
The others look of astonishment made Motgott laugh harder, needing to turn away for a moment.
“I would of gotten eaten, believing you!” Lír squeaked, face flushing deeper the more the other enjoyed the situation.
“Mine dear boy-“ Morgott coughed a bit as he tried to compose himself. He found his calm, finishing up the crate. Lír fetched him the paint, the Lord scrawling down its destination before sending it off. He thanked Lír for his time, leaving the young man to return to his duties.
That night Lír stood over a small table in a castle sitting room. Fire crackled in the hearth sending the small room into an amber glow. Lír poured a cup of tea, stirring in a spoonful of honey before adding a sprig of lemon thyme.
He mindfully brought to cup over to Matilda, handing it to her gently. She sat on a small sofa, taking the cup thankfully.
“Careful, it’s hot.” Lír warned, before sitting down beside her.
“Thank you.” She smiled, stirring the lemon thyme a bit in the tea.
Lír pulled off his boots, stretching out his toes towards the fire. He leaned back, decompressing a bit.
“How was your day?” Matilda asked, blowing on her tea.
“The morning was quite normal, however,” he started.
“However?” Matilda perked up.
Sitting forward, Lír informed, “His Lordship jested with me!”
“Surly not!” Matilda sat her cup down, sounding skeptical.
“His Lordship did!” Lír insisted, “Truly had me going. I even heard him laugh.”
Matilda smiled, clasping her hands together, “That’s wonderful!” Her chest felt warm, pulling Lír closer. His cheeks flushed a bit as she dipped her face closer to his.
“Thank you.” She smiled, lips ghosting over his, “For spending so much time with Father.”
Lír tilted his head a bit, amber eyes full of their sparkle, “I’m learning much from him, truly.”
“It’s good for him…he’s been somber since Magnus left.” She admitted, pressing her forehead to his, “I’m overjoyed you both are bonding.”
Lír closed his eyes, leaning into the contact. Matilda ran her fingers through his curls before her hand drifted along his jaw. Her forefinger tilted his head up ever so slightly, pressing her lips against his. Lír melted into the act. Matilda nipped at his lower lip, giggling at the little sound that slipped out of his throat.
The kiss broke, Matilda touching his cheek and teasing, “Your face is so hot suddenly, Sir Lír.”
Lír chuckled weakly from embarrassment, pants suddenly feeling tight. “D-Does my Lady require more tea?” He asked, attempting to change the subject.
“No, Iv plenty to sate my thirst right here.” She gave a fanged smile, pulling him back into another kiss.
Warnings: strong language, sexual themes, giant ant briefly
Summary: In the far future Maddox takes his small child to visit her mother deep under the earth
Maddox carefully made his way down deep, twisting tunnels. He was quiet and slow as he went; despite knowing the way well it was still perilous under the right circumstances…and he had precious cargo.
His young daughter was tired securely to his chest via a sturdy harness, his talisman of protection clipped to her dress.
This wasn’t their first journey along these same ancient roads. Despite her age and bold disposition, Nenet was always silent within the tunnels. Her father was rarely afraid, but these places set an air of pensiveness over him and the child could feel the depth of seriousness when he instructed her to remain silent.
Maddox dropped down into a large cavern, glowing fungi alighting the stone. He patted the little bundle, “It’s alright, we can talk now. Tiny voices though…”
Nenet nodded, “Ok.”
They were close, the child getting restless. “Will Mama remember me?” She asked.
“Of course.” He nodded, breathing in the cool air. He missed the calmness of the underground.
“I grew five inches though.” The little one chirped.
“You did?” Maddox sounded surprised, “How are you so sure?”
“Grandma helped me!” She smiled, “She painted the mark on the doorframe to my room. I got to write my name by it!”
“Catching up with Minka.” He praised earning a happy purr from the child.
~
They continued on, the girl suddenly jolting forward, making Maddox pause.
“Mama!” Nenet squealed, pulling at her harness. Maddox let her free, setting the toddler on the rocky ground. The second her tiny feet touched the shallow waters that surrounded the eternal cities, she was off.
Maddox spotted her mother, Nedra, perk up from across the water. The Nox woman started running towards the little girl too, face splitting into a bright smile. The water splashed underfoot, echoing off the rocks.
Nedra scooped up the girl, covering her chubby face in kisses, she absolutely glowed with happiness.
Maddox gave a soft smile, heart warming as he made his way closer much more slowly.
Hugging her child close, Nedra looked to him. She whispered, “Thank you.”
He nodded, looking down at his boots. He wandered off to give them a bit of privacy, feeling out of place. Finding a smooth rock, he sat down, watching from across the water.
Mother and child played, Nedra showing Nenet some more signs in the Nox language.
Eventually the giant ant that Nedra kept as a mount grew curious, stomping over. Nenet squealed again, letting her mother show how to introduce herself.
As the little one patted the ant, Nedra made her way over to Maddox.
“Will she be safe?” He asked.
“Yes, she is quite tame.” Nedra gestured to the ant.
Maddox nodded, the other coming to sit beside him. They watched Nenet for a time, an awkward silence falling over them.
Maddox turned, breaking first to murmur, “I brought you something too.”
“A gift?” She tilted her head, eyes ever hidden behind the veil.
“Mhm.” He dug into one of his belt bags, pulling free a small box. He held it out, Nedra eagerly taking it.
She opened it up, gasping. Inside was a locket, made from white gold and decorated with a large opal. Nedra swallowed as she opened the locket, realizing it held a lock of Nenet’s hair, like a little piece of starlight.
“Oh Maddox…” she whispered, voice thick.
His ears went back, bashfully.
“May I?” He asked softly, offering to assist in putting on the necklace. Nedra scooted closer to him, turning away to bear her neck. Maddox carefully moved her layered veil aside, cheeks darkening when seeing more revealed skin. He quickly placed the necklace around her throat, clipping it with deft fingers.
She beamed, turning to face him.
“Thank you!” She purred. Before Maddox realized what was happening she closed the distance between them, pressing a gentle kiss to his cheek.
Maddox went crimson, hands knotting into fists to keep them from reaching out for her. Nedra pulled away, the moment of closeness over as quickly as it began. Hearing Nenet, Nedra rose to go back to their child, leaving Maddox alone.
He tentatively touched his cheek, feeling hot and cursing himself.
